Protecting Academic Integrity
   in Online Exam Environments




                 Secure Testing. Anytime. Anywhere.
                                                1
About Software Secure
Software Secure
Founded 1999
HQ in Newton, Massachusetts
(www.softwaresecure.com)

Solutions for secure, convenient and scalable exam integrity wherever or
whenever exams are administered - with different robust security models for
variable kinds of computer-based exam.
Solutions for Higher Education, K-12 and Certification Organizations
- Classroom and Distance Learning Environments
- Assures integrity of test conditions with patented technology
- Authenticates student ID with biometrics and proprietary monitoring system
- End-to-end exam administration services


                                                                               2
Software Secure Timeline

                                                             Introduced features
    Developed                   Integrated with
                                                                  to facilitate
   Solutions for               Amazon Cloud for
                                                               interaction with
  Classroom Use                    scalability
                                                                   students




  2000             2006         2010           2011           2012


         Built first Remote        Built Record & Review
         Proctoring Solution       Solution to utilize the
         utilizing Software        student’s webcam
         Secure hardware
4
Secure Test Solutions
Software Secure provides a spectrum of solutions that protect the integrity
of test conditions and the authenticity of the student, while providing end-
to-end exam administration services.

                                    Remote and Classroom Testing
                                    Products & Services
                                     Remote Proctor PRO & NOW
                                     Video Review Services
                                     Securexam Browser
                                     Securexam Student
                                     Planet SSI
Online Challenges
 Authentication - how do you make sure
a student is who they say they are?

 Security - how do you make sure
students are taking exams honestly?

 Convenience - how do you offer
flexible and secure options?

 Cost - how do you make all of the
above fit your institution’s (or the
student’s) bottom line?
                                          6
Students Are Cheating Online
                                 “A study last year by two
                                 psychology professors
                                 from the University of
                                 Ohio at Zanesville found
                                 that 72 % of students
                                 taking online courses
                                 admitted cheating on
                                 their tests.”



                                 Miami Herald, October 2012




Faking the Grade:
A for (someone else’s) Effort?
Online Exam Proctoring Solutions


            Digital solutions that assure true exam
           integrity for all distance learning exams.



Gold-standard proprietary hardware and    On-demand solution for distance learning
  software solution that delivers total     exams - proctored by computer and
 security for self-service examinations   webcam, authenticating the ID of online
        and prevents cheating.                           students.
Remote Proctor PRO – Total Exam Security
                Addresses every area of exam security by
                authenticating his/her identity and controlling
                a student's computer while watching and
                listening to the exam environment.

                Integrated Hardware & Software Components:
                 Remote Proctor Pro : Hardware device that
                uses biometrics to authenticate the identity of
                the test-taker, records all sound, and videos a
                360-degree view of the exam environment.

                 Securexam : Patented software which
                provides access to computer-based exams
                while simultaneously locking down the desktop
                by preventing access to all other non-
                examination materials or applications

                                                              9
Remote Proctor NOW – Anytime. On-Demand.
                 Utilizes existing webcam and microphone
                  that test-taker already owns- they can be
                  taking a test in less than three minutes!
                 Records webcam view, audio and desktop to
                  ensure compliant exam conditions
                 No need to schedule time or rely on a
                  proctor’s schedule to take a test
                 Cost effective method to provide remote test
                  proctoring all for about $15 per exam
                 Each test is reviewed by multiple certified
                  review specialists to catalog exam policy
                  violations
                 Can work with any test delivery system


                                                                10
Webcam-Based Proctor: How it Works


                  1. Access software
                  2. Select your exam
                  3. Verify identity
                  4. Take your exam
Exam Monitoring: Remote Proctor Methodology
 Records webcam view, audio and desktop to memorialize each exam session
 Reputable Reviewers - Certified Review Specialists
 Multiples: Three sets of eyes review each exam session
 Catalogs exam policy violations to assure compliance with exam policies


  Reviewers: 3 sets of eyes review each exam session




      Student monitored       Desktop recorded     Exam Session recorded

                                                                            12
We work with almost any LMS:

Remote Proctor Solutions can be easily integrated with your Learning
Management System, creating a natural extension of the applications your
institution already has in place.




                                                                           13
Case       UWA Leverages Remote Proctor PRO to Offer
 Study
            Campus-wide Online Proctoring
Challenge:
UWA implemented Remote Proctor PRO to offer
students a more convenient way to take tests,
assuring a level playing field and protecting the
academic integrity of its online programs. Started
with a small pilot, then rolled out program across
all online programs.


Results:
 Convenience - enable students to pursue secondary education.
 Faculty and students satisfied that cheating isn't occurring
 Positive feedback from faculty, students and IT
 Competitive advantage with new markets opened up to UWA.
 Increased customer/student satisfaction




                                                                 14
Case       UNA Offers Remote Proctor NOW to Students
 Study
            for Secure and Flexible Online Proctoring
Challenge:
 UNA wanted to offer its faculty and students a more
convenient and secure way to administer and take
online exams with integrity. In the past, online
learners had two options for taking tests – finding
proctors or going to a test centers. These methods
were time-consuming, costly and inconvenient for
students. They also exposed the potential for cheating
as remote proctors could not always be adequately
verified by the school.
Results:
 Caught several incidences of cheating
 Increased student satisfaction – saving them money
 Faculty members confident that assessment instrument is
secure/protected
 UNA is investigating the possibility of using RP NOW campus-wide.
                                                                      15
Case      Ohio University Turns to Remote Proctor to
Study     Provide a Level Playing Field & Protect Exam Integrity
Challenge:
A new online program was being launched in the
Engineering Management Department. Department
Director wanted to ensure that integrity practices
were integrated into the program’s rollout from the
beginning. Ohio University had experienced some
challenges in the past with academic dishonesty and
the engineering department wanted to ensure it was
diligent about implementing technology that would
secure online assessments

Results:
After about a year of usage, the technology has been
successful in providing a level playing field in the online
program has been deemed to bring instances of cheating
down to near zero. The Department Director feels the
legitimacy of the credentials earned by students is now
safeguarded.                                                  16
Student Feedback
Students who demand flexibility are grateful for the
Remote Proctor option . . .
 Time Savings:                                     Ease of Use:
 “This has saved me an hour’s drive to take my     “The proctor software seems to work well and
 son to a testing center.”                         is very convenient for taking tests online.”
 “This opportunity allowed me to stay home         “Can log in to my test in under 5 minutes -
 with my sick mother rather than hiring a nurse    anyone with basic knowledge of computer
 to care for her while I drove to campus to take   systems can easily access the program with
 the exam.”                                        instructions and practice.”



 Privacy:                                          Cost:
 “ Remote Proctor is not intrusive”                “I’ve saved on babysitting fees and parking by
 “Convenience of remote proctoring outweighs       being able to take the test from my house.”
 my concern about being monitored.”                 “I have had to pay up to $50 to take tests at a
                                                   test center, and leave work early. With this
                                                   system, I’ve simplified my test taking, and saved
                                                   money.”
Customers using Remote Proctor today




                                       18
The Pathway to Online Integrity
• Step 1: Explicitly state
  expectations
• Step 2: Reinforce ethical climate
  with prevention.
• Step 3: Be consistent and follow
  through with consequences.
• Step 4: Utilize assessment design.
• Step 5: Create a learning
  environment that minimizes
  cheating opportunities.




                                  McNabb and Olmstead (2009) Journal of Online Learning and Teaching Vol. 5, No. 2
                                  Hulsart and McCarthy (2011) The Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 59:92–96
                                                                                                                  .
Balancing Priorities
                                                            Cost
                                                                   Low
                                           Remote Proctor
              Login/ID,
                          Remote Proctor       PRO
              Password,
                          NOW, Anytime,      Anytime,
               anytime,
                            anywhere         anywhere
              anywhere
Convenience




               Login/ID   Remote Proctor
                                           Remote Proctor
              password,        NOW
                                           PRO, scheduled
              scheduled     Scheduled
                                              location
               location      location
                                                                   High


                             Security
Why Software Secure?
 More convenient
    No need for students to schedule a proctor - On
     demand testing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
 More affordable
    On average 40% cheaper than other proctoring
     technologies
 More secure
    Exams are reviewed on a 1:1 basis and we have
     complete video and audio records of exam
     experience
Secure Testing. Anytime. Anywhere.


For more information, please contact:
 Software Secure Sales Inquiries
sales@softwaresecure.com | (617) 340-6381

           Follow us: @Software_Secure

SACSCOC 2012 -Protecting Academic Integrity in Online Exam Environments

  • 1.
    Protecting Academic Integrity in Online Exam Environments Secure Testing. Anytime. Anywhere. 1
  • 2.
    About Software Secure SoftwareSecure Founded 1999 HQ in Newton, Massachusetts (www.softwaresecure.com) Solutions for secure, convenient and scalable exam integrity wherever or whenever exams are administered - with different robust security models for variable kinds of computer-based exam. Solutions for Higher Education, K-12 and Certification Organizations - Classroom and Distance Learning Environments - Assures integrity of test conditions with patented technology - Authenticates student ID with biometrics and proprietary monitoring system - End-to-end exam administration services 2
  • 3.
    Software Secure Timeline Introduced features Developed Integrated with to facilitate Solutions for Amazon Cloud for interaction with Classroom Use scalability students 2000 2006 2010 2011 2012 Built first Remote Built Record & Review Proctoring Solution Solution to utilize the utilizing Software student’s webcam Secure hardware
  • 4.
  • 5.
    Secure Test Solutions SoftwareSecure provides a spectrum of solutions that protect the integrity of test conditions and the authenticity of the student, while providing end- to-end exam administration services. Remote and Classroom Testing Products & Services  Remote Proctor PRO & NOW  Video Review Services  Securexam Browser  Securexam Student  Planet SSI
  • 6.
    Online Challenges  Authentication- how do you make sure a student is who they say they are?  Security - how do you make sure students are taking exams honestly?  Convenience - how do you offer flexible and secure options?  Cost - how do you make all of the above fit your institution’s (or the student’s) bottom line? 6
  • 7.
    Students Are CheatingOnline “A study last year by two psychology professors from the University of Ohio at Zanesville found that 72 % of students taking online courses admitted cheating on their tests.” Miami Herald, October 2012 Faking the Grade: A for (someone else’s) Effort?
  • 8.
    Online Exam ProctoringSolutions Digital solutions that assure true exam integrity for all distance learning exams. Gold-standard proprietary hardware and On-demand solution for distance learning software solution that delivers total exams - proctored by computer and security for self-service examinations webcam, authenticating the ID of online and prevents cheating. students.
  • 9.
    Remote Proctor PRO– Total Exam Security Addresses every area of exam security by authenticating his/her identity and controlling a student's computer while watching and listening to the exam environment. Integrated Hardware & Software Components:  Remote Proctor Pro : Hardware device that uses biometrics to authenticate the identity of the test-taker, records all sound, and videos a 360-degree view of the exam environment.  Securexam : Patented software which provides access to computer-based exams while simultaneously locking down the desktop by preventing access to all other non- examination materials or applications 9
  • 10.
    Remote Proctor NOW– Anytime. On-Demand.  Utilizes existing webcam and microphone that test-taker already owns- they can be taking a test in less than three minutes!  Records webcam view, audio and desktop to ensure compliant exam conditions  No need to schedule time or rely on a proctor’s schedule to take a test  Cost effective method to provide remote test proctoring all for about $15 per exam  Each test is reviewed by multiple certified review specialists to catalog exam policy violations  Can work with any test delivery system 10
  • 11.
    Webcam-Based Proctor: Howit Works 1. Access software 2. Select your exam 3. Verify identity 4. Take your exam
  • 12.
    Exam Monitoring: RemoteProctor Methodology  Records webcam view, audio and desktop to memorialize each exam session  Reputable Reviewers - Certified Review Specialists  Multiples: Three sets of eyes review each exam session  Catalogs exam policy violations to assure compliance with exam policies Reviewers: 3 sets of eyes review each exam session Student monitored Desktop recorded Exam Session recorded 12
  • 13.
    We work withalmost any LMS: Remote Proctor Solutions can be easily integrated with your Learning Management System, creating a natural extension of the applications your institution already has in place. 13
  • 14.
    Case UWA Leverages Remote Proctor PRO to Offer Study Campus-wide Online Proctoring Challenge: UWA implemented Remote Proctor PRO to offer students a more convenient way to take tests, assuring a level playing field and protecting the academic integrity of its online programs. Started with a small pilot, then rolled out program across all online programs. Results:  Convenience - enable students to pursue secondary education.  Faculty and students satisfied that cheating isn't occurring  Positive feedback from faculty, students and IT  Competitive advantage with new markets opened up to UWA.  Increased customer/student satisfaction 14
  • 15.
    Case UNA Offers Remote Proctor NOW to Students Study for Secure and Flexible Online Proctoring Challenge: UNA wanted to offer its faculty and students a more convenient and secure way to administer and take online exams with integrity. In the past, online learners had two options for taking tests – finding proctors or going to a test centers. These methods were time-consuming, costly and inconvenient for students. They also exposed the potential for cheating as remote proctors could not always be adequately verified by the school. Results:  Caught several incidences of cheating  Increased student satisfaction – saving them money  Faculty members confident that assessment instrument is secure/protected  UNA is investigating the possibility of using RP NOW campus-wide. 15
  • 16.
    Case Ohio University Turns to Remote Proctor to Study Provide a Level Playing Field & Protect Exam Integrity Challenge: A new online program was being launched in the Engineering Management Department. Department Director wanted to ensure that integrity practices were integrated into the program’s rollout from the beginning. Ohio University had experienced some challenges in the past with academic dishonesty and the engineering department wanted to ensure it was diligent about implementing technology that would secure online assessments Results: After about a year of usage, the technology has been successful in providing a level playing field in the online program has been deemed to bring instances of cheating down to near zero. The Department Director feels the legitimacy of the credentials earned by students is now safeguarded. 16
  • 17.
    Student Feedback Students whodemand flexibility are grateful for the Remote Proctor option . . . Time Savings: Ease of Use: “This has saved me an hour’s drive to take my “The proctor software seems to work well and son to a testing center.” is very convenient for taking tests online.” “This opportunity allowed me to stay home “Can log in to my test in under 5 minutes - with my sick mother rather than hiring a nurse anyone with basic knowledge of computer to care for her while I drove to campus to take systems can easily access the program with the exam.” instructions and practice.” Privacy: Cost: “ Remote Proctor is not intrusive” “I’ve saved on babysitting fees and parking by “Convenience of remote proctoring outweighs being able to take the test from my house.” my concern about being monitored.” “I have had to pay up to $50 to take tests at a test center, and leave work early. With this system, I’ve simplified my test taking, and saved money.”
  • 18.
    Customers using RemoteProctor today 18
  • 19.
    The Pathway toOnline Integrity • Step 1: Explicitly state expectations • Step 2: Reinforce ethical climate with prevention. • Step 3: Be consistent and follow through with consequences. • Step 4: Utilize assessment design. • Step 5: Create a learning environment that minimizes cheating opportunities. McNabb and Olmstead (2009) Journal of Online Learning and Teaching Vol. 5, No. 2 Hulsart and McCarthy (2011) The Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 59:92–96 .
  • 20.
    Balancing Priorities Cost Low Remote Proctor Login/ID, Remote Proctor PRO Password, NOW, Anytime, Anytime, anytime, anywhere anywhere anywhere Convenience Login/ID Remote Proctor Remote Proctor password, NOW PRO, scheduled scheduled Scheduled location location location High Security
  • 21.
    Why Software Secure? More convenient  No need for students to schedule a proctor - On demand testing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week  More affordable  On average 40% cheaper than other proctoring technologies  More secure  Exams are reviewed on a 1:1 basis and we have complete video and audio records of exam experience
  • 22.
    Secure Testing. Anytime.Anywhere. For more information, please contact: Software Secure Sales Inquiries sales@softwaresecure.com | (617) 340-6381 Follow us: @Software_Secure